Thursday, September 30 will mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. As the impacts of colonialism continue to this day, the Ontario Federation of Labour urges settlers and those that who are not part of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, to make a plan for September 30 to learn, unlearn, and reflect.…
Ottawa, ON – The Ontario Federation of Labour, which represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario has announced a boycott of the Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, 150 Albert St. Ottawa ON, in support of the 70 workers recently terminated by the hotel. The boycott is effective immediately. “During this boycott, no labour organization will…
TORONTO – In response to the Ford government’s disastrous pandemic response and in advance of the Day of Mourning for injured and killed workers on April 28, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) demands Premier Ford commit to long overdue health and safety recommendations that could have prevented countless deaths. As COVID-19 infections skyrocket in…
TORONTO – The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is gravely concerned that new COVID-19 restrictions do not include additional protections to keep workers safe. Workers, public health officials, and medical experts have repeatedly urged Ford’s Conservative government to implement policies like paid sick days to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Despite case numbers in the…
TORONTO – As MPPs vote on the third reading of Bill 254 today, the Ontario Federation of Labour and Democracy Watch are calling on Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey to release the government lawyer’s evaluation about whether the Ford government’s Bill 254 violates constitutional Charter rights. “Ford’s Conservative government has made numerous attempts at unconstitutional…
To download a copy of the letter, click here. To add your organizations endorsement to this important call, please click here. April 14, 2021 SENT VIA EMAIL Hon. Doug Ford Premier of Ontario Legislative Building Queen’s Park Toronto, ON M7A 1A1 Hon. Christine Elliott Minister of Health Ministry of Health 5th Floor, 777 Bay St.…
Toronto – As insolvency proceedings at Laurentian University continue, Ontario’s labour movement urges Premier Ford and Minister Ross Romano to step up and fix the crisis exacerbated by this government’s funding failures. “Today’s news that Laurentian University is laying off over 80 faculty members, numerous staff, and cutting over 60 programs is devastating,” said Patty…
Ontario’s labour movement is saddened to learn of the passing of our former colleague and dedicated labour activist, Catherine Macleod. Catherine was a founding member of the Women’s Press and the Mayworks Festival of Arts and Labour. In the 1980s and early 1990s she served with the OFL as acting Human Rights Director and then…
DEADLINE TO APPLY – March 18, 2021 4:00 p.m. EST The Ontario Federation of Labour is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it encourages those who have been historically disadvantaged with respect to employment to apply. First Nations, Metis, Inuit persons, persons of colour, persons with a disability, and persons who are 2SLGTBQI+ are encouraged…
Ontario’s labour movement is united in solidarity with faculty, staff and students at Laurentian University. On February 1, Laurentian University sought creditor protection under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (“CCAA”) due to financial challenges. This concerning move comes after years of eroding public funding for colleges and universities in Ontario paired with poorly considered and…
The Ontario Federation of Labour urges the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to reject 7-Eleven’s proposal to allow customers to buy wine and beer for on-site consumption at 61 of its Ontario convenience stores – many of which are attached to gas stations. “7-Eleven’s proposal could increase risky behaviours like drinking and driving…
Joint Statement by Canada’s Provincial and Territorial Federations of Labour In advance of the federal, provincial and territorial labour ministers’ meeting, provincial and territorial federations of labour are united in demanding that provincial and territorial governments guarantee seamless access to universal, permanent and adequate employer-paid sick days for all workers. More than half of all…
SENT VIA EMAIL: minister.MLTSD@ontario.ca Hon. Monte McNaughtonMinister of Labour, Training and Skills Development14th Floor400 University AvenueToronto, ON M7A 1T7 Dear Minister McNaughton, Act on Health and Safety Expert Panel Training Recommendations Now December 2020 marked the tenth anniversary of the 46 health and safety recommendations developed by the Expert Panel following a workplace tragedy in…
(Le français suit) Toronto, ON – A Coalition of over 40 Ontario unions has formally filed evidence in a lawsuit to repeal legislation which severely limits wage and benefit increases for public sector workers, a move the Coalition says violates bargaining rights enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. “We have always believed that…
Congratulations to Kaitlyn Fleming and Farah Abid, winners of the 2020 OFL/AIL Labour Post-Secondary Scholarship! This scholarship is awarded to OFL members, or the children of members, in honour of distinguished trade union activists who have made a significant contribution to the life and growth of the labour movement in Ontario. We hope this scholarship…
African Liberation and Black History Month 2021 Events: February 3: Black History in Canada February 5: Family and Paint – Black History Month February 9: Celebrating Black History Month 2021 February 17: Black History in Canada: A Look Back at 400 Years of Black Presence February 17: Defund the Police: What the Heck Does that…
(Toronto) – The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is shocked that new COVID-19 emergency measures announced today fail to include critical workers’ protections including guaranteed paid sick days. This morning, Ontario health officials presented a harrowing picture of the COVID-19 trajectory which includes shrinking hospital spaces, and worsening long-term care conditions as case counts rise…
(Toronto) – The Ontario Federation of Labour demands that MPPs return to the legislature immediately. While Ontario continues to break single-day records for COVID-19 cases and deaths, the legislature’s recess has paused work on urgent issues including implementing paid sick days, addressing the long-term care crisis, establishing a plan for safer classrooms, and developing a…
(Toronto) – In the past week, four workers have been killed at their job on an Ontario construction site, and just yesterday, a fifth worker died at an industrial workplace in Stoney Creek. The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is devastated by these fatal incidents. While we mourn the lives that were lost, and hope…
The Ford government recently announced its plans to steamroll ahead with a reckless “performance” based funding plan. Post-secondary faculty, academic librarians, staff, and students are opposed to this flawed funding experiment and give the government a failing grade for its approach. The government, which already provides the lowest post-secondary per-student funding in Canada, has now…